power play n 1: an aggressive attempt to compel acquiescence by the concentration or manipulation of power; "she laughed at this sexual power play and walked away" [syn: power play, squeeze play, squeeze] 2: a play in which there is a concentration of players in one location on the field of play; "they used a power play to return the kickoff" 3: (ice hockey) a play in which one team has a numerical advantage over the other as a result of penalties; "the team was unable to capitalize on the power play"

power play noun Date: 1947 1. a military, diplomatic, political, or administrative maneuver in which power is brought to bear 2. a. a concentrated attack in football in which the ballcarrier is preceded by a mass of blockers b. a situation in ice hockey in which one team temporarily has more players on the ice than the other team because of a penalty

power play also power-play (power plays) 1. A power play is an attempt to gain an advantage by showing that you are more powerful than another person or organization, for example in a business relationship or negotiation. Their politics consisted of unstable power-plays between rival groups. N-COUNT 2. In a game of ice hockey, power play is a period of time when one team has more players because one or more of the other team is in the penalty box. N-UNCOUNT

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